Polluting Democracy
S.C. utilities push for more gas, ‘blank check,’ amid specter of past scandal
The scramble to increase supply has state lawmakers debating a fast-tracked bill that locks in new gas and undoes hard-won reforms
Latest
Polluting Democracy
Ohio Gov. DeWine campaign got secret $2.5 million boost from power company, new records show
A dark money group funded by FirstEnergy spent $2.5 million to support the GOP hopeful as the utility pushed bailout of struggling nuclear plants.
Gulf Coast
23 states ask EPA to halt civil rights rules regulating pollution
The dispute stems from a ruling by a Louisiana judge that the agency’s application of race-based considerations exceeds its authority.
Gulf Coast
Hundreds of millions up for grabs in environmental justice grants
Housing, air monitoring, green jobs and coastal resilience are some of the initiatives that could receive funding under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Polluting Democracy
Florida GOP operative admits role in ‘ghost’ candidate scheme that defeated utility-targeted Dem
A Republican consultant's deposition reveals he OK’d the plan to run a third-party candidate to defeat Florida Power & Light nemesis.
Polluting Democracy
Revealed: FirstEnergy gave $1 million to boost Ohio Lt. Gov. campaign before scandal
Records show Jon Husted worked behind the scenes to bail out the company’s nuclear power plants. The million dollar donation was secret — until now.
Fueling Disinformation
Chevron owns this city’s news site. Many stories aren’t told.
The oil and gas company-owned Richmond Standard tells mostly positive stories about the major industry that dominates this California city and its skyline.
Gulf Coast
Louisiana energy company plans to float above climate damage — literally
Utility argues natural gas plant would keep offshore oil and gas servicing companies, and nation’s only deepwater oil port, operational.
Utilities
Will bitcoin and data centers risk US climate goals?
US energy use has been flat. But new industries are forcing a boost in utility forecasts for demand, potentially harming efforts to cut emissions.
Gulf Coast
Small farmers cry for help as climate change keeps killing crops
Some are asking Congress to add more crop insurance and disaster assistance for smaller producers in the upcoming US Farm Bill.
Gulf Coast
Secrecy around gas export terminals leaves public in the dark on dangers
As liquefied natural gas terminals grow exponentially along the U.S. Gulf Coast, experts raise alarm on low-risk, high-consequence events
Utilities
Fraud and corruption on rise at US utilities, threatening energy transition
A Floodlight analysis finds a historic surge in power company fraud and corruption. The lies and bribes cost consumers — and threaten the planet.
Gulf Coast
When a climate denier becomes Louisiana’s governor: Jeff Landry’s first month in office
Landry has surrounded himself with former fossil fuel executives — and he has targeted the state’s climate change task force.
Inside Climate News
Why a natural gas storage climate ‘disaster’ could happen again
A year after a major methane leak from underground gas storage, a new study identifies potentially thousands of similarly risky wells across the United States.
Fueling Disinformation
‘Control the narrative’: How an Alabama utility wields influence by financing news
A Floodlight investigation found Alabama Power runs a news service and its foundation bought a Black newspaper. Neither publishes critical stories about the utility.
Polluting Democracy
‘What corruption gets you’: How utility companies bought support in the Black south
A joint investigation by Floodlight and Capital B shows millions of dollars flowed from utilities to Black leaders and their groups since at least 2009.